Hydrangea

There are so many varieties of hydrangea and we were very pleased to find a few different ones in our new garden. This is probably my favourite and the most well known, now in full bloom. The lace caps are pretty but not as spectacular as a bush full of these startling blue heads.

I know that John Tradescant the elder (c. 1570-1638) brought back at least one variety of hydrangea from China, just not sure if it's this one. I like to think it was, he did such amazing work and we have him to thank for so many now common plants in our gardens. Even the glorious chestnut tree ....